The Mayor of Nikšić Municipality, Marko Kovačević, said that he has a different emotional relationship towards May 21st - Montenegro's Independence Day, but that he is open to talking to the opposition and considering its proposals when it comes to marking that date.
The first man of Nikšić said at today's session of the Municipal Assembly (MA) that he will always respect the law when it comes to national holidays and symbols, regardless of what he thinks should be applied in those laws, reports the RTNK portal.
"The state of Montenegro is mine, I am its citizen and national. I am not a citizen or national of any other country. It defines national holidays and national symbols and everything else. So, I will always respect the law on these issues, regardless of what I think should be changed in those laws in the future. Also, I am a Serb nationally and the state of Serbia defines these things on its own. Regardless of whether I ask for it or not, it is defined as the state of the Serbian people and all its citizens. So, just by being a Serb, it already recognizes me as my state. That has nothing to do with me personally, just with the fact that I am a Serb. So you know, those are the possibilities that we have, inherent to what is part of our identity. There is no personal guilt on my part, if someone considers it guilt, but rather it is a coincidence that led to it being that way," explained Kovačević.
He said this in response to a question from European Union councilor Ivan Radojičić whether he considers May 21st his own, or rather his homeland's, holiday.
"You have stated several times that you feel that another country is your home and that you cannot realize the emotions and ambitions you have towards it in your own country," said Radojičić.
Speaking about the organization of the Independence Day celebration in Nikšić, Kovačević said that he did not understand what the celebration should look like from the point of view of an independentist, because he voted for a joint state.
"I have a different emotional relationship towards that date, but I am certainly open to discussing it and appreciating it in the best possible way. So that those who want to celebrate it celebrate it adequately, without anyone being offended by it, I think we have room for that. And seeing what has appeared in the media and that there are certain controversies within people who commemorate it in a certain way, and within those movements and structures, I think we can respect both sides," said the Mayor.
"The Municipality of Nikšić understands that there is a need among some citizens to celebrate this holiday in a certain way. We had a certain practice, in the first year when we came to power, I checked that the organizer you mentioned had also been organizing these events on that date for years. So I did not want to be someone who would deny someone the right to continue doing so," said Kovačević.
He pointed out that Freedom Square is already occupied for the celebration, but he told the opposition that the local government is ready to jointly design a program for that date.
"Whoever wants to take part in this is invited," Kovačević emphasized.
Kovačević said that the information that appeared that European Commissioner Marta Kos asked him why there was no celebration of the anniversary of Montenegro's independence in Nikšić was not correct.
"The Municipality of Nikšić understands that there is a need among some citizens to celebrate this holiday in a certain way. We had a certain practice, I checked in the first year when we came to power that the organizer you mentioned was also the organizer of these events on that date for years. So I did not want to be someone who would deny someone the right to continue doing so," Kovačević said today.
"To be honest, I don't understand what that celebration should look like from that perspective because I am someone who voted for a common state, I have a different emotional relationship towards that date, but I am certainly open to discussing it and appreciating it in the best possible way. So that those who want to celebrate it adequately celebrate it adequately, and that no one is offended by it. I think we have room for that, and seeing what has appeared in the media and that there are certain controversies within people who celebrate it in a certain way, and within those movements and structures, I think we can respect both sides," said Kovačević.
He pointed out that on May 21st, Freedom Square is already occupied for celebrations, but he told the opposition that they are ready to jointly design a program for that date.
"Whoever wants to take part in this is invited," Kovačević pointed out.
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